Party Prep #81: Learn How to Apply False Lashes Like a Pro

Big lashes are big news. Fact. They’re the not-so-secret secret of the makeup industry and play a key part in many-a-celeb look. From Miley Cyrus' va-va-voom look to a few individual lashes to boost your outer lash line, they're versatile. And definitely worth perfecting. Trouble is, most of us mere mortals hate them. Because we don't have a makeup artist on hand 24-7 to help us apply the slippery little suckers. But fear not, I quizzed MAC’s Senior Makeup Artist, Nicole Thompson and got her tips on perfecting a false flutter just in time for party season! Woot!

Go about your lashes the normal way: curl them, apply mascara and separate with a fan brush (very, very important) first. This will help you see what areas need a little more help.

Cut the false lashes in half: it takes a serious pro to be able to do an entire lash line at once. Especially on the first attempt. So Nic advises you cut them in half and treat each eye as two pairs. It makes application a lot easier, trust me.

Keep reading . . .Always apply to the outside first: this is where most people want a little extra fullness. By applying to the outside first, you may find that you don’t actually need the inside half if you’re after a more natural look.

And here are a couple of my tips . . .

Apply the glue and then wait: the lashes will stay in place much easier if the glue's a bit tacky first so hold off on applying them for about 10 seconds after you've added the glue.

Use tweezers: they're delicate things, false lashes, so it's best to apply them with tweezers instead of your hands. It gives you a little more control and ensures that you don't damage the shape of the lashes by being a bit heavy-handed.

Don't throw away the box: with most false lashes you can get 3-4 wears out of them so when you get home, remove them gently with tweezers (note: this may be troublesome after one too many vodka, lime and sodas) and place back in the box ready for round two.